Laumape Released to Union

[Mixmasterreece]

Bummer. Hurrell got all the hype, but Laumape was the real deal. Pity he didn't hang around and try and make the Kiwis.

Home to the Turbos and try and get into the Canes.



Sounds like bullshit TBF, all he had to do was get over his injury and he'd walk one of the centre spots.



I always assumed when he signed with the Warriors that he'd return to rugby once the contract was up.

He wanted out.

And would of been battling hurrell, kata and fusitua (potentially lolohea) for a centre spot in 2016. He's been offered an opportunity to go home and get a walk-up start for the Turbos.

 

[Meth]

If he wanted out, he wanted out. Would walk in to the team if fit (based on previous form), but that's life.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Ohhh he's from Palmy... A Manawatu Turbo.

Good timing for him at the Hurricanes with Nonu and Smith gone.

He could end up pairing up in the centres with Nehe Milner-Skudder who was part of the Bulldogs NYC.

Had no idea about Milner-Skudder playing league ! My mrs is a Hurricanes fan so have seen a lot of them play this year as he is my favourite to watch in that side, awesome on his feet

 

[shiznit]

Had no idea about Milner-Skudder playing league ! My mrs is a Hurricanes fan so have seen a lot of them play this year as he is my favourite to watch in that side, awesome on his feet

Neither did I until I read this article...

http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/spor...-bulldogs-junior/story-fni2fxyf-1227427378914

 

[Matua]

He wanted out.

And would of been battling hurrell, kata and fusitua (potentially lolohea) for a centre spot in 2016. He's been offered an opportunity to go home and get a walk-up start for the Turbos.

The bullshit was in reference to him not wanting to put the effort in to get his spot or scared to try, he wouldn't need any extra effort, he's better than Hurrell and Kata and Fusitua could have the other spot. Except the Warriors will keep playing Hurrell because he's good profile wise.

 

[warrior poet]

I'm surprised he hasn't gone back sooner... I think he has a kid who still lives in palmy. That would have influenced his decision. Maybe he will come back to league if Wellington gets a team?

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Is this part of the cleanout?
This one is rather unexpected (as shown by others replies!)

He was a talent!
Hoping, in a selfish way, he fails at ruggers and comes back and shines again in league (preferbly for us!)

 

[Mixmasterreece]

I think this clears up the situation:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...sses-rugby-codes-to-sign-with-manawatu-turbos

It transpires Laumape had been in informal talks with Manawatu for the best part of two years and last year expressed a desire to go back to rugby. He last played the game in 2011, for the Palmerston North Boys' High School first XV in the Polson Banner clash when he injured the same knee which still bothers him.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Yeah, it does. Always wanted to go back, so nothing we could do. Huge loss, still.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Anyone here follow Union and know how Ngani's been going?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Anyone here follow Union and know how Ngani's been going?

A bit shaky at first but improving well, had a good game yesterday and got a try.

 

[Iron Lion]

Already looks a much better and developed player than he did at the Warriors. Very solid and dangerous on both attack and defense.

 

[Izz]

Already looks a much better and developed player than he did at the Warriors. Very solid and dangerous on both attack and defense.

He looked both those things while he was here, too.

 

[Iron Lion]

He looked both those things while he was here, too.

Yes but I did mention much better and developed player - Which he does look in rugby - Warriors should of kept him, cant see how Ayshford or Jonno Wright offer even half of what he does.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Yes but I did mention much better and developed player - Which he does look in rugby - Warriors should of kept him, cant see how Ayshford or Jonno Wright offer even half of what he does.

Can't keep those who want to go.

 

[Iron Lion]

Can't keep those who want to go.

You can if you know why and im pretty sure Laumape has stated in the press the Warriors didnt want him and said he wasn't going to be kept.

 

[jaseg]

You can if you know why and im pretty sure Laumape has stated in the press the Warriors didnt want him and said he wasn't going to be kept.

Yeah, unless you can produce a source on that one I'm definitely not going to believe it. As far as I can remember there were rumours (maybe comments here even?) that he wanted to be closer to his kid (though it probably didn't help that he was an early victim of Cappy's weird selections, Laumape was injured through too much of Cappy's coaching career for that to be too obvious / a real sticking point).

Laumape was the best centre we have produced since Toopi. I don't think too many people were anything but high on prospects. Was a massive blow to lose him, first to the knee injury and then to the Hurricanes. As for getting better after leaving the Warriors... you're joking mate. He was great here (as a rookie he became one of the few ever centre partners to make Manu look good on D) - he hasn't gotten better, he's just good - and has been since he first stepped into senior footy.

 

[Izz]

im pretty sure Laumape has stated in the press the Warriors didnt want him and said he wasn't going to be kept.

Yeah, nah

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Iam Lyin', at it again

 

[JJ]

I don't think Ayshford or Wright have anything to do with it - the real question is why were Hurrell, Fuisitua and Kata (not sure on timing with him) given more chances...

Laumape is not as dynamic on attack as Hurrell but I'd have him every day of the week ahead of Hurrell